Calling All Ancestors of Christ to the Feast of His Nativity
Calling All Ancestors of Christ to the Feast of His Nativity
By Fr Dan Kovalak
Twas the second Sunday before Christmas, and all through the temple
Holy Ancestors of Jesus begin to assemble.
Their witness and love since the time of creation
now bids them "rejoice" in this cosmic celebration.
Justified by faith, both the great and the least,
now form a synaxis to partake of the feast.
Armed with God's invincible power
they hasten in reverence to observe this hour.
With the hosts of heaven toward a manger of straw
they sing of the wondrous fulfillment of the Law.
The prophets and patriarchs honor the perfection
of their enduring efforts to announce our salvation
From their seed has blossomed the glorious fruit
that enabled the Orthodox Church to take root.
The ancestors magnified among nations
now see all prophecy reach its destination.
The three holy children from a furnace of fire
escape without harm by the God they admire.
Prefiguring this present mystery
they bear witness to One God in Trinity.
Untouched by the blazing fires of earth
they profoundly testify to the Virgin Birth.
Daniel, the glorious, announced with a groan,
"I see the Just Judge seated on a throne...
...A river of fire flowing from His feet"
but the children of God can't be scorched by the heat.
Together with the ancestors, may we gather, too
to render to God the worship He's due.
Come Adam and Enoch and Melchisidech
Come join us along this Nativity trek.
Come Abraham, Isaac, and David the King,
Join Moses and Aaron in caroling.
Come Jacob and Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah
Ezekiel, Elijah, Joshua, Zachariah,
Baptist and Forerunner be present this day;
you who announced "prepare ye the way".
And Most Blessed Mary; of this feast you are leaven,
for your womb has become more spacious than heaven.
But what to our wondering ears should hear;
a parable of a banquet that elicits some fear.
A king bids his subjects to speedily come
to the marriage feast of His royal Son.
The table fully-laden, the best finery used,
when all of a sudden, guests beg to be excused.
"I've bought oxen and land and can't come," some they say,
"I've just married" said another, "I must stay away."
The king is not pleased with the "no shows", so then
he sends his messengers out once again.
"Those first invited; their numbers too small,
bring the blind and the lame to fill my banquet hall!"
Eventually the king's glorious feast was observed
but not by those for whom it was reserved.
The message for us in the parable is clear:
"In the fear of God and with faith, draw near."
Dearly beloved, we commemorate this day
the ancestors of Christ Who paved the way;
the way to Bethlehem, the way to the Cross,
the way that opens the door to the lost.
The ancestors, the banquet -- the lessons we hear
provide the formula for a Happy New Year.
But before we unwrap the gift in the manger
let's be sure, to Him we will not play the stranger.
May we accept the royal invitation
and not excuse ourselves from HIS celebration.
None of the glories of Christmas will blossom
unless we realize Whose birth is most awesome.
So we hear our priest as he turns back toward the east,
"Blessed Christmas to all and to all: Joyous Feast!"
By Fr Dan Kovalak
Twas the second Sunday before Christmas, and all through the temple
Holy Ancestors of Jesus begin to assemble.
Their witness and love since the time of creation
now bids them "rejoice" in this cosmic celebration.
Justified by faith, both the great and the least,
now form a synaxis to partake of the feast.
Armed with God's invincible power
they hasten in reverence to observe this hour.
With the hosts of heaven toward a manger of straw
they sing of the wondrous fulfillment of the Law.
The prophets and patriarchs honor the perfection
of their enduring efforts to announce our salvation
From their seed has blossomed the glorious fruit
that enabled the Orthodox Church to take root.
The ancestors magnified among nations
now see all prophecy reach its destination.
The three holy children from a furnace of fire
escape without harm by the God they admire.
Prefiguring this present mystery
they bear witness to One God in Trinity.
Untouched by the blazing fires of earth
they profoundly testify to the Virgin Birth.
Daniel, the glorious, announced with a groan,
"I see the Just Judge seated on a throne...
...A river of fire flowing from His feet"
but the children of God can't be scorched by the heat.
Together with the ancestors, may we gather, too
to render to God the worship He's due.
Come Adam and Enoch and Melchisidech
Come join us along this Nativity trek.
Come Abraham, Isaac, and David the King,
Join Moses and Aaron in caroling.
Come Jacob and Samuel, Isaiah, Jeremiah
Ezekiel, Elijah, Joshua, Zachariah,
Baptist and Forerunner be present this day;
you who announced "prepare ye the way".
And Most Blessed Mary; of this feast you are leaven,
for your womb has become more spacious than heaven.
But what to our wondering ears should hear;
a parable of a banquet that elicits some fear.
A king bids his subjects to speedily come
to the marriage feast of His royal Son.
The table fully-laden, the best finery used,
when all of a sudden, guests beg to be excused.
"I've bought oxen and land and can't come," some they say,
"I've just married" said another, "I must stay away."
The king is not pleased with the "no shows", so then
he sends his messengers out once again.
"Those first invited; their numbers too small,
bring the blind and the lame to fill my banquet hall!"
Eventually the king's glorious feast was observed
but not by those for whom it was reserved.
The message for us in the parable is clear:
"In the fear of God and with faith, draw near."
Dearly beloved, we commemorate this day
the ancestors of Christ Who paved the way;
the way to Bethlehem, the way to the Cross,
the way that opens the door to the lost.
The ancestors, the banquet -- the lessons we hear
provide the formula for a Happy New Year.
But before we unwrap the gift in the manger
let's be sure, to Him we will not play the stranger.
May we accept the royal invitation
and not excuse ourselves from HIS celebration.
None of the glories of Christmas will blossom
unless we realize Whose birth is most awesome.
So we hear our priest as he turns back toward the east,
"Blessed Christmas to all and to all: Joyous Feast!"
